Author of the Month: Phinehas Kinuthia

Our Xulon Press Successful Author Spotlight today features pastor, international speaker, author, educator, mentor, leader, and entrepreneur Phinehas Kinuthia, who pastors Global Enlightenment Center Church in Houston, Texas, along with his wife Joyce and their daughter Claire. His book “FROM DREAMING TO BECOMING – 10 Essential Principles for Living the Life of Your Dreams” has been endorsed by Dr. Myles Munroe, who wrote:

“This exceptional work by Phinehas Kinuthia is one of the most profound, practical, principle-centered approaches to the subject on fulfilling your dreams I have read in a long time. The author’s approach to this timely and critical issue of leadership brings a fresh breath of air that captivates the heart, engages the mind and inspires the spirit of the reader. From Dreaming to Becoming is destined to become a classic and touch many lives.”

Pastor Phinehas was born in Kenya, Africa, a premature baby, only weighing 2.6 lbs. His Mom was given the option to abort her pregnancy by doctors, but his Mom chose him over her own life. Phinehas stated, “When I came out, it was like I was almost a still born. I was able to fight for my life. I developed chronic bronchitis and asthma. I couldn’t play soccer and games, I had to stay on the sideline and watch the kids play. I was not able to play like the other kids. I would watch other kids play.”

“As a boy, it messed up my self-esteem. I grew up as a sickly child, in and out of the hospital. I once had typhoid and malaria and asthma. Doctors prescribed something that paralyzed me for half a day. My Mom carried me on her back. I came from a poor family. Mom was a teacher. Dad was a cab driver. I was 14 yrs old and cried all the way home walking from the hospital. My Mom got to know the Lord first. She prayed us all into salvation. We held hands and prayed that God would heal me of asthma and bronchitis and paralysis. The change in my life happened when someone gave me a VHS tape of ‘Hidden Glory and Purpose by Design’ by Pastor Myles Munroe.”

Phinehas continued, “I listened to this message and it made me start to believe in myself. I had a reason for being. God had a purpose for my life. There were a lot of similarities in my life and Pastor Myles’ life. I started dreaming and pursuing my dreams and believing that there was more to my life, that there was greatness and that I could make a difference. They used to say, “I want to be a man that they would write about”—that made a difference in me. I got connected to Pastor Myles when I came to the USA. I came with about $200 and went to Virginia to school that costs $20k. My first month, my $200 was finished. I was homeless for about a month, sleeping at the library, and with friends.

In 2007, I started this journal. Woke up and wrote about 80 points that became the bedrock of this book. When I finished this book, I wrote to Dr. Myles, even though I had never met him—I just prayed over it. I got an email from Dr. Myles. He said that he read the book and really thought that is was phenomenal. I met him when he came to Houston. And I have met him several times since—he has become a mentor to me.”

As we began our conversation, I asked Phinehas “What one past experience changed the course of your life?” He responded “The childhood moment of being sick and the VHS of Dr. Myles and the transition of moving to USA. It was a paradigm shift of life.”

Delving into his writing style, I asked, “What method do you use to start your writing process?” Phinehas shared “80 points. I have moments when the Spirit of God just moves me. For the most part, I write at night. I am up until 1 or 2am. I write at that time, after the family has gone to sleep. Sometimes God will put a statement or I will hear something drop in my spirit…I will pull over while driving to take notes or I will send myself a voicemail to remember me what the Spirit put in my heart. I write in moments when the Spirit inspires me. I might write 10 pages continuously and pour my heart into it. I wrote this book to connect to someone who is looking for a mentor. It has opened doors for tremendous relationships that I would never have contracted in my life. For example, a friend of mine took our book to a German girl who was in depression and on medicine. The book turned the girl around. She got out of her depression. She told me that it turned her around. She is now going to college for art and dance. True success is not in what you accomplish—it’s in doing for what you were created to do. Being at the center of God’s call and fulfilling His calling on your life.”

Feeling inspired by Pastor Phinehas, I asked him “What message do you want shared by the story of your life?” He responded “My own life story. Regardless of your past, each one of us deserves the right and ability to dream. We cannot allow others’ interpretation of success to drown us out of the success that God has for us. We all have treasure hidden in ordinariness. Many have just discovered their potential. Help people unlock their potential. Awakening potential and awakening the dream-ability.”

Wanting to explore how he would inspire others, I asked “What would you tell others about your relationship with Christ that would inspire them?” Pastor shared “Without Christ you have nothing. Nothing matters without Him. Everything has to revolve around that– even finding purpose. Even Christ dying for us (2Timothy 1:9) He has saved us according to grace and purpose. God wanted to restore us out of our fallen nature. Until you are connected to our maker, you are dead. Draw nigh to me and I will draw nigh to them. Christ is everything. You have to find Christ. When you find Christ, everything else builds from that.”

Asking him what has become my signature question “What will they write on your gravestone that will sum up your life?” Pastor Phinehas reflected and then responded “A man who really loved the Lord first and did all he could and the best he could for his family and birthed the destinies for other people.”

Sensing that Pastor had a message for his generation, I asked, “What message do you believe God is asking you to share with your world?” He responded with exuberance “Equipping others to birth their destiny. 2 words: enlighten and empower. What the word say about who you are and not what does the world say? Add to your faith, each were given a measure of faith, but you can grow it. Equipping and empowering is how we can equip people. I wrote a workbook for those who want to know how they get from concept to reality– Putting the steps together. It is the principle of association. You can grow your life exponentially in relationships. Significant people in my life have helped me bridge from one area of my life to another.”

Wanting to find out where he draws inspiration, I asked, “What inspires you?” Pastor Phinehas spoke with resolve as he shared “My purpose. There is a drive to my purpose. I used to work at a law firm. But I could not do that anymore. My passion. You cannot accomplish a dream without passion. Also, to see the effect that I have had in equipping and empowering others. God has helped me to help others. It comes down to: Passion, purpose and the Word.”

I asked Pastor “What would be your WAKE UP Call for your generation?” He became alive with excitement as he spoke “Our generation doesn’t understand the magnitude of the responsibility laid on us. We take things very lightly. But our predecessors paid a price for going for us. My heart bleeds for our children. We have to lay a foundation so they will continue the legacy. Elijah passed on a double portion onto Elisha but when Elisha died, it died with him. It was in his bones. Our generation needs to understand the responsibility that we have to carry this to our next generation. We take for granted too much. We have a responsibility to pay the price like those before us. Paying the price through process. The process is as important as the promise.”

Sensing his deep connection to the Word, I asked “What is your theme scripture and why?” Pastor shared his favorite scripture “Philippians 3:14 I do not count myself to have apprehended, I press toward the high mark. It is important to lead with the future in mind. God is doing a new thing. That brings life and expectation. It brings hope. Lamentations says there is hope for a tree cut down that though it withers, it will sprout again.”

As we drew to a close our spirited, passion filled conversation; I simply asked Pastor Phinehas “When you get to Heaven, what do you want to hear your Lord and Savior say?” He got quiet for a moment and then said, “Well done good and faithful servant and that you fulfilled your assignment. I want to die empty. Fully give all that I have each and every time. David served his generation and then he rested.”

I have to admit his story was inspiring. From this premature 2.6 pound baby from Kenya, whom the doctors tried to persuade his mother to abort, to a chance discovery of a VHS tape in Kenya from Dr. Myles Munroe, this life was destined to speak of God’s grace and glory, His power and passion, about equipping and empowering others to rise above from whatever circumstance you were born into and set your sights on your destiny in Christ. Pastor Phinehas reminds us all that you are not what your surroundings dictate.

If you dare to dream and have the determination to make your dreams come true, you can be someone who inspires and mentors others to dream also. Pastor Phinehas reminds us “We all have treasure hidden in ordinariness” – that is a comment that inspires all on its own!